UK hopes lie with Europe

The full impact on UK business of the MoD’s decision to adopt the A400M transport aircraft will depend on the plans of other European partner states. Following this week’s announcement, Airbus will now be concentrating its efforts on getting all seven nations to adopt the A400M as their preferred airlifter. Apart from the UK, this […]

The full impact on UK business of the MoD’s decision to adopt the A400M transport aircraft will depend on the plans of other European partner states.

Following this week’s announcement, Airbus will now be concentrating its efforts on getting all seven nations to adopt the A400M as their preferred airlifter.

Apart from the UK, this means getting agreement from Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Spain and Turkey. But already there are questions over some European air forces’ commitment to buying the A400M – in particular Italy and Germany. The latter is considering buying the Ukranian Antonov 70.

Italy recently signed a contract for a dozen Lockheed Martin C-130J Hercules transport planes, apparently undermining its commitment to the A400M.